Lahore remembers heroes of 1965

Staff Report

LAHORE: The 38th Defence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with enthusiasm in the city on Monday.

Prayers and fateha were offered in mosques for the soldiers who died fighting in the 1965 war with India. Troops at the Lahore Garrison celebrated the Defence Day with enthusiasm. The celebrations started with Quran recitation and special prayers for the integrity, sovereignty and solidarity of the country in mosques after Fajar prayers. Flag-hoisting ceremonies were held at all formation headquarters, units and installations.

A ceremony was held at the tomb of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to pay homage to the great poet and philosopher. Senior military officers attended the ceremony. The Lahore Garrison commander and Commodore Agha Danish laid a floral wreath on behalf of the Army and Navy at the tomb and offered fateha.

Army commanders visited graveyards, war memorials and mausoleum of martyrs. Lahore Logistic Area Commander Major General Naeem Ahmad Khan laid a floral wreath at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed at Miani Sahib graveyard, where he also met Shabbir Sharif’s parents. A large number of soldiers visited the central Army graveyard and the memorial of Brigadier Shami Shaheed. Brigadier Syed Amjad Shabbir laid a floral wreath there.

Special open courts were held at units where the message of the vice-chief of the army staff was read. Commanding officers highlighted the significance of the day. Bara Khana for troops in the unit lines and band displays at various public places and parks in Lahore, Kasur and Chunian were held.

The Lahore city district government also celebrated Defence Day. A large number of students and civil defence volunteers marched in a parade District Nazim Mian Amer Mehmood addressed the gathering.

A grand reception was hosted by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Shahid Aziz at the Defence Services Officer’s Mess on Tufail Road in honour of the families of martyrs and serving and retired Lahore garrison officers.

The corps commander met the officers and discussed with them various matters. Major (r) Muhammad Sharif, the father of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, was the chief guest on the occasion. General Commanding Officers Major General Bilal Omar Khan, Lahore Logistic Area Commander Major General Naeem Ahmad, senior serving officers of the local garrison and a large number of soldiers were present.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases also celebrated Defence Day.

At the Lahore PAF base, prayers for the solidarity and prosperity of the country and fateha for martyrs were offered. Air Commodore Suhail Asghar inspected a parade at the base and read out the chief of air staff’s message to officers, JCOs, airmen and other PAF officials.

A delegation of Pakistan Workers Confederation Union visited the memorial of the 1965 war at Batapur and of Major Aziz Bhatti at Burki and placed floral wreaths. Khurshid Ahmad, the general secretary of the union, said that the nation owed a great debt to the soldiery who defended the motherland at the cost of their lives in the 1965 war. He said that despite being independent, Pakistan had not rid, itself of poverty and unemployment so far.

A 50-kilometre cycle race was held at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. It was arranged by the Punjab Cycling Association.

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